Martin-Ortega, Olga ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1779-0120, Trusgnach, Martina and Berman, Cindy (2024) Push, pull, dance: approaches to address labour abuse in public health supply chains. Journal of Industrial Relations. pp. 1-27. ISSN 0022-1856 (Print), 1472-9296 (Online) (doi:10.1177/00221856241242222)

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Abstract

The response to COVID-19 generated an unprecedented global demand for medical equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE). This article explores how states have exercised their leverage and used regulatory tools to address human and labour rights violations, mainly forced labour, when procuring PPE. In particular, it analyses three tools used before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: trade import restrictions, transparency in supply chain regulation and public procurement processes. These tools are explored in relation to three states: the US, the UK and Sweden. This article argues that no single system currently provides a comprehensive and adequate response to human rights abuses in public supply chains, but that a combination of all of them in some form could provide the basis for a more effective and resilient approach – not only during a crisis, but also in the longer term, and may prove more capable to address systemic abuse.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	supply chain; labour rights; forced labour; PPE; Covid-19; WRO; labour exploitation; public procurement; trade import ban
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) K Law > K Law (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences > School of Law & Criminology (LAC)
Last Modified:	15 Apr 2024 14:02
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/46735

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